GEORGE Bugg is confident that Witham Town is the right place for him to be at the moment.

The striker has made an instant impact since moving up to step four of the non-league football pyramid this season and is having his progress tracked by a number of clubs.

One of those - a step three club - was impressed enough to make an offer for the young forward, but it was an advance that was turned down by Bugg as he feels he is in the best place for his development as a player at this moment in his career.

The former Stowmarket Town striker saw success at Walsham le Williows last year, finding the back of the net 15 times from 28 appearances for the Thurlow Nunn League premier division club.

And having grown his reputation at step five, he feels it is right to spend time in the fourth tier before looking to move upwards again.

“It was a step up for me to come to Witham," said Bugg.

“I believe in myself and I know I have goals in me, but and it just wasn’t the right time to move up again.

“No offence to the side that made the offer, but I think the best place for me right now is here at Witham Town.

“I don’t want to push myself too far too quick.

“Putting the ball in the back of the net is what I want to concentrate on doing here for now.

“Bents (Witham manager Marc Benterman) called me straight away after the offer came in and said the team needed my goals.

“He knows there’s no reason why we can’t finish mid-table or above with goals in the side and there are three or four of us here who can put the ball in the back of the net every week.

“I’ve been delighted to have hit the ground running with Witham and to pick up where I left off last season, but that’s my job and I can’t see any reason why we can’t push on."

Witham's next outing will come as they head to Ashford United in the FA Trophy preliminary round on Saturday.

If Town want to progress into the first qualifying round, they will have to be better than they were - especially in a disappointing first half - when getting beaten 2-1 by Aveley in BetVictor Isthmian League division north last weekend.

Bugg was on target to get Witham back into the game after they'd fallen two behind, but their comeback fell short to make it three league outings without a win.

That has been frustrating after the solid start to the season that Witham had made and they have dropped to 16th in the table, but Bugg is backing them to not be looking over their shoulders at a relegation scrap this year.

He added: “I really don’t think that’s going to be the case for this group.

“Initially, at the start of the season, I think everyone was just looking to stay up, but I think our goals have changed.

“Most people can see that there are goals in this team because there are decent players here.

“We’ll certainly pick up points along the way.

“I don’t think we’ll be worrying too much about what’s behind us other than picking up points from those teams below us.

“And if we’re putting in the effort then there’s no reason why we can’t pick up points against the best sides in the league."